Legal Aid

Legal Aid

Legal Aid offices help individuals who cannot afford to hire
private lawyers. There are more than 1,000 of these offices around
the country staffed by lawyers, paralegals and law
students. All offer free legal services to those who qualify.
Funding is provided by a variety of sources, including Federal,
state and local governments and private donations. Many law
schools nationwide conduct clinics in which law students, as part
of their training, assist practicing lawyers with these cases.
Legal Aid offices generally offer legal assistance with such
problems as landlord-tenant relations, credit, utilities, family
issues (e.g., divorce and adoption), foreclosure and home equity
fraud, social security, welfare, unemployment and workmen's
compensation. Each Legal Aid office has its own board of
directors which determines the priorities of the office and the
kinds of cases handled. If the Legal Aid office in your area does
not handle your type of case, it should be able to refer you to
other local, state or national organizations that can provide
advice or help. Check the telephone directory to find the
address and telephone number of the Legal Aid office near you. If
you would like a directory of Legal Aid offices around the country,
contact the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, 1625 K
Street, N.W., 8th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006, (202) 452-0620.

Legal Services Corporation

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) was created by Congress in
1974. There are LSC offices in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, Guam and Micronesia. To find the LSC office
nearest you, check the telephone directory, call the Federal
Information Center (FIC) listed on page 104, or call the LSC Public
Affairs Office at (202) 863-4089. If you wish to buy a full
directory of all LSC programs, write or call:

Public Affairs
Legal Services Corporation
400 Virginia Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024-2751
(202) 863-4089

Finding a Lawyer

If you need help finding a lawyer, check with the Lawyer Referral
Service of your state, city or county bar association listed in
local telephone directories.

Complaints about a lawyer should be referred to your state, county
or city bar association.


Other Consumer Information

Consumer Credit Counseling Services

Counseling services provide assistance to individuals having
difficulty budgeting their money and/or meeting necessary monthly
expenses. Many organizations, including credit unions, family
service centers and religious organizations, offer some type of
free or low-cost credit counseling.

The Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) is one non-profit
organization that provides money management techniques, debt
payment plans and educational programs. Counselors take into
consideration the needs of the client, as well as the needs of the
creditor, when working out a debt repayment plan. You can find the
CCCS office nearest you by contacting the National Foundation of
Consumer Credit, Inc., 8611 Second Avenue, Suite 100, Silver
Spring, MD 20910-3372, 1 (800) 388-CCCS (toll free). Consumer
Groups

Private and voluntary consumer organizations usually are created to
advocate specific consumer interests. In some communities, they
will help individual consumers with complaints. However, they have
no enforcement authority. To find out if such a group is in your
community, contact your state or local government consumer
protection office. A list of the state and local
offices begins on page 70.

Consumer Information Catalog

The Consumer Information Catalog lists approximately 200 free or
low-cost Federal booklets with helpful information for consumers.
Topics include careers and education, cars, child care, the
environment, Federal benefits, financial planning, food and
nutrition, health, housing, small business and more. This free
Catalog is published quarterly by the Consumer Information Center
of the U.S. General Services Administration. Single copies of the
Catalog only may be ordered by sending your name and address to
Catalog, Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009 or by
calling (719) 948-4000. Non-profit groups that can distribute 25
copies or more each quarter automatically can receive copies by
writing for a bulk mail card.

Part I. Buying Smart